EU chief says key parts of UK Brexit offer not good enough

European Council President Donald Tusk (left) and EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

Photo: Francisco Seco / AFP / Getty Images

SALZBURG, Austria — European Council President Donald Tusk warned Britain on Wednesday that key parts of its offer to conclude Brexit talks are not satisfactory and must be revised, just six months before the country leaves the bloc.

Speaking before chairing a summit of EU leaders in Salzburg, Austria, Tusk ramped up pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative government, saying time was fast running out to seal a Brexit deal. Britain will leave the EU at midnight on March 29, but both sides are desperate to reach an agreement in coming weeks to leave parliaments time to ratify any accord.

Pointing to shortfalls in Britain’s position on keeping open the Irish border and on economic cooperation, Tusk said told reporters that “the U.K.’s proposals will need to be reworked and further negotiated.”

The main stumbling block to concluding a Brexit deal is an agreement that would keep goods, services and people flowing between EU member state Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Both sides have made counter-offers in recent days, and May is expected to urge EU leaders in Salzburg to compromise.

Relying on pressure caused by the ticking clock, Tusk said “every day that is left we must use for talks. I would like to finalize them still this autumn.” He said he would urge the leaders to hold a new summit in mid-November.

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned on Tuesday that the leaders’ Oct. 18 summit in Brussels would be “the moment of truth.”

Writing in German newspaper Die Welt, May said Britain “has evolved its position” and argued that “the EU will need to do the same.” She said that a deal is within grasp if both sides show “good will and determination.”